'Everyone out of the trenches!' I shout as loud as I possibly can. Eyes up, people look at me expectantly, full of hope, but when they see the expression on my face, panic sets in.
'Everyone out, grab the wood, spread it into the trench! Hurry!' I scream, trying to demand they do so quickly, before we are overwhelmed.
The entire camp scrambles now, but I can feel the fear, the tension. If I do not act, they will react out of their fear.
'You cannot run from this, there is nowhere to run, and they will not stop til they consume us. There is only one way- to fight!' I scream again, raging my fist high in the air.
Panic erupts, but they still work, knowing it is that or death. I have them now, they will stay and fight, mostly.
'Throw the wood into the trenches, now!' I shout, not waiting for their response. I grab great logs, well finished planks, furniture, anything, in it goes, spreading around across the trench as far as it will go.
They take my lead, grabbing maniacally at the mass of wood, dropping it in, frenzied.
'Oil, pour the oil onto it, light it up!' I shout. The mass is upon us, at the edge of the trench. A man runs, sheer terror on his face, unable to prevent himself. One or two others follow, a woman and another more elderly man.
'Fight on!' I shout, raging at the cowards.
Many stay, grabbing barrels, tipping them over, pouring oil across the trench, down the slope, across the wood.
The insects are in the trench now. I see a woman kneeling to the ground, holding her two children, protecting them a moment longer.
'Light it up, light it up!' I shout, feeling an inescapable panic inside myself.
Torches flare up around us, as shaking hands struggle to ignite the kindling. I am thankful it is so dry. If it were raining, we would all be dead.
People throw the torches in, and step back, sticks at the ready, guns raised for all the good they will do.
The fire erupts into an inferno, as the oil rages, like my spirit, high into the sky. Wood crackles and burns, spreading along, and I see the cauldron of insects and spiders on the opposite side. Will they wait for it to diminish to come for us? Will they move around? How intelligent are they?
We can only wait, and hope...
Tuesday 13 December 2016
Monday 12 December 2016
38) The Endeth Approaches
I know we don't have long. I don't understand how I know, but my instincts so far have been pretty keen. I just know within a very short time, this infestation of these horrible creatures, a mass of flesh eating spiders and all sorts of bugs will be upon us, and then we must be ready.
I run to one of the trader stalls at the front of the camp. He looks at me bewildered, but I point to his stockpiles of wood and oil.
'That, we'll need all of that, outside front, ready...' I shout. The man looks at me startled, then horrified, before pulling out a gun from his waist. Others around me react, pulling out guns, sticks, knives, some running away or hiding.
There is no time for games. I walk up to him, ignoring the gun pointed at my midriff.
'You do realize we are about to be attacked, and what by?' I shouted.
The man continues to look at me, then at the others.
'But.. but, this is all I have.' He says.
'Well if these things attack us and we aren't ready to defend, this stuff will still be here, but you won't, and neither will your customers!' I say, quieter now. I look at him, unblinking. Common sense stuff, I just hope he has some.
He looks deflated. I can see he is resigned to it. I look back and everyone knows. They go in quickly, grabbing barrels full of oil and stacks of wood.
'Carry it all out of the gate.' I shout, before running through ahead of them. Another group, having gathered shovels and spades stand looking toward me. I would have thought it self explanatory, but I guess some people need things pointing out. Maybe that is what has become of the world, just a lack of the ability to think, to plan and create, which is why so much anger, hatred, betrayal and theft, because it is the only way they know now.
'Dig, damn it!' I shout, and immediately dozens of people, men, women and children grab the shovels and digging tools and begin. I can see the confusion on their faces, what to do. I have to lead the sheep...
'A trench, about this far from the fence.' I say, pacing away, sliding a line in the dirt not to dig any closer. 'Dig here, all along, deep down, lower than a man's waist.' I shout.
I could say feet and inches, or some other measurement, but I think of such things few would understand.
'Dig, for your lives.' I shout, grabbing a shovel and joining in.
The work continues quickly, I can sense the fear within them. Frequently I stop and look over the crest of the hill beyond. Others do too, we know it is coming.
'I stand and look up, pointing to several women. 'You, go grab wooden torches, soak them in this oil, be ready with them.' I call. Without hesitation they run.
Within minutes the trench begins to take shape with so many bodies joining in. I climb out and look around. The trench isn't so deep, but it will have to do. It stretches around the sides of the camp, but not enough.
It will have to do, because I can hear the scratching sounds, the writhing mass as something vile approaches. Time is short, perhaps the end is near now...
I run to one of the trader stalls at the front of the camp. He looks at me bewildered, but I point to his stockpiles of wood and oil.
'That, we'll need all of that, outside front, ready...' I shout. The man looks at me startled, then horrified, before pulling out a gun from his waist. Others around me react, pulling out guns, sticks, knives, some running away or hiding.
There is no time for games. I walk up to him, ignoring the gun pointed at my midriff.
'You do realize we are about to be attacked, and what by?' I shouted.
The man continues to look at me, then at the others.
'But.. but, this is all I have.' He says.
'Well if these things attack us and we aren't ready to defend, this stuff will still be here, but you won't, and neither will your customers!' I say, quieter now. I look at him, unblinking. Common sense stuff, I just hope he has some.
He looks deflated. I can see he is resigned to it. I look back and everyone knows. They go in quickly, grabbing barrels full of oil and stacks of wood.
'Carry it all out of the gate.' I shout, before running through ahead of them. Another group, having gathered shovels and spades stand looking toward me. I would have thought it self explanatory, but I guess some people need things pointing out. Maybe that is what has become of the world, just a lack of the ability to think, to plan and create, which is why so much anger, hatred, betrayal and theft, because it is the only way they know now.
'Dig, damn it!' I shout, and immediately dozens of people, men, women and children grab the shovels and digging tools and begin. I can see the confusion on their faces, what to do. I have to lead the sheep...
'A trench, about this far from the fence.' I say, pacing away, sliding a line in the dirt not to dig any closer. 'Dig here, all along, deep down, lower than a man's waist.' I shout.
I could say feet and inches, or some other measurement, but I think of such things few would understand.
'Dig, for your lives.' I shout, grabbing a shovel and joining in.
The work continues quickly, I can sense the fear within them. Frequently I stop and look over the crest of the hill beyond. Others do too, we know it is coming.
'I stand and look up, pointing to several women. 'You, go grab wooden torches, soak them in this oil, be ready with them.' I call. Without hesitation they run.
Within minutes the trench begins to take shape with so many bodies joining in. I climb out and look around. The trench isn't so deep, but it will have to do. It stretches around the sides of the camp, but not enough.
It will have to do, because I can hear the scratching sounds, the writhing mass as something vile approaches. Time is short, perhaps the end is near now...
Tuesday 22 November 2016
37) A Great Plan of Action
The woman offers up her hand, and I can see she is weak, at least physically. Mentally she is very much alive and aware, her eyes shining brightly like pearls in the sun.
'I believe my name is Macready.' I say, taking a gentle hold of her hand and shaking it. A small child looks up at me. She is sat on a wooden box, wearing rags, her face dirty with soil. She looks confused by our greeting.
Another woman steps out from the wooden building, sees myself, Steve and Melissa and slinks back inside, peering through a gap. Others look on at us, wary of our presence.
The old woman looks down at the child, smiling easily. 'This is how people used to greet a stranger. Back in the days before so many went either hungry or crazy.'
The little girl turns and runs away, bringing with it laughter from the old woman.
She looks back at me. 'I'm known around here as Ma Guinness, though lately its more of the Old Ma Guinness.' She continues, laughing more than ever. She is a cheerful, fun character, and I can see why people might follow her. She has a strange strength about her, an aura she gives off which lends itself to a feeling of tranquility, simply by being with her.
'Yeah, trouble is coming all right. I know that, because since I woke from the vaults many moons ago, that's all there seems to be. Trouble.'
My eyes light up, and she can see the intrigue in me.
'What catches your eye, stranger?' The woman asks me. She doesn't miss a trick.
'You're from the vault?' I ask, sounding more excited than I had intended.
She smiles. 'Yeah, one of them at least, a long way from here. Woke up from a Cryochamber, a long long time ago. Me and two others, went out looking to see what had come of the world, and found it virtually dead.'
'Do you know why we were in these vaults? I cannot recall anything?' I ask, sounding pitiful.
The old woman can see my angst. 'Sorry fella, but I never had any memories either, wiped clean. We went out searching, found only endless death, and the two I was with, one hanged himself, the other got taken away by Mutants, yellow skin creatures. I managed to get away that time, wandered for weeks, all but dead myself when I stumbled on this place. Back then there was only two shacks and a small fence. Still, old man Farcey brought me in, helped me, and together we brought in strays from all over. This is what has become of the place now.'
I cannot hide my disappointment.
'There is a mass infestation of creatures, spiders, bugs of all types, seem to like the taste of meat, and will likely head this way. We need to prepare for them, to fight against them, together.' I say, anger within becoming my strength.
That smile again from the old lady. Now a crowd of people has gathered around us, listening. I can see the fear in their eyes. Even some of the traders are here now, wondering what to do.
'I'm too old for such battles, past the stage where I can be of any use.' The old woman says, as the crowd cries no, pleads with her to help, insists only she can save them.
She shakes her head. 'No, my time is done, I will watch from afar as you people are guided by a new leader, someone who has a good heart, and a clever mind.' She says, before placing her hand on my shoulder.
'Son, you may no know it, but you are special, and you have what it takes to see this place and its good people survives.' She says, as they all turn to look to me.
'How can I help? I have been running from one fight to the next, a never ending series of near death experiences.' I cry, at a loss as to what I can possibly accomplish.
'Word has it you survived those misbegotten Ghouls, some of the Mutants, Slavers, Cannibals, Raiders, and even avoided a knife in the back from someone you thought to care about. You're not running away, you're fighting...and winning.' She says, for the first time making me realize... I am a survivor.
'I hadn't thought of it before, not like that.' I say.
'Mister, what can we do, can you help us?' A woman cries out. It is the woman peering out from the shack, more afraid of what might be than anything I might do.'
Fate has a funny way of thrusting us into places in life we never expected, or intended. I understand that now.
I look up at the crowd now, realizing it is likely the whole camp, watching, listening, waiting for me.
I nod quickly, looking down, thinking, then back up at the old woman, and she can see my mind is made up.
'We need shovels, lots of them, and anything that will burn. Get me something flammable, we're gonna have a party.' I shout, at which the entire camp cheers, and breaks out into wild activity.
The old woman looks at me, that same curious expression, as if she has been waiting for this moment all her life...
'I believe my name is Macready.' I say, taking a gentle hold of her hand and shaking it. A small child looks up at me. She is sat on a wooden box, wearing rags, her face dirty with soil. She looks confused by our greeting.
Another woman steps out from the wooden building, sees myself, Steve and Melissa and slinks back inside, peering through a gap. Others look on at us, wary of our presence.
The old woman looks down at the child, smiling easily. 'This is how people used to greet a stranger. Back in the days before so many went either hungry or crazy.'
The little girl turns and runs away, bringing with it laughter from the old woman.
She looks back at me. 'I'm known around here as Ma Guinness, though lately its more of the Old Ma Guinness.' She continues, laughing more than ever. She is a cheerful, fun character, and I can see why people might follow her. She has a strange strength about her, an aura she gives off which lends itself to a feeling of tranquility, simply by being with her.
'Yeah, trouble is coming all right. I know that, because since I woke from the vaults many moons ago, that's all there seems to be. Trouble.'
My eyes light up, and she can see the intrigue in me.
'What catches your eye, stranger?' The woman asks me. She doesn't miss a trick.
'You're from the vault?' I ask, sounding more excited than I had intended.
She smiles. 'Yeah, one of them at least, a long way from here. Woke up from a Cryochamber, a long long time ago. Me and two others, went out looking to see what had come of the world, and found it virtually dead.'
'Do you know why we were in these vaults? I cannot recall anything?' I ask, sounding pitiful.
The old woman can see my angst. 'Sorry fella, but I never had any memories either, wiped clean. We went out searching, found only endless death, and the two I was with, one hanged himself, the other got taken away by Mutants, yellow skin creatures. I managed to get away that time, wandered for weeks, all but dead myself when I stumbled on this place. Back then there was only two shacks and a small fence. Still, old man Farcey brought me in, helped me, and together we brought in strays from all over. This is what has become of the place now.'
I cannot hide my disappointment.
'There is a mass infestation of creatures, spiders, bugs of all types, seem to like the taste of meat, and will likely head this way. We need to prepare for them, to fight against them, together.' I say, anger within becoming my strength.
That smile again from the old lady. Now a crowd of people has gathered around us, listening. I can see the fear in their eyes. Even some of the traders are here now, wondering what to do.
'I'm too old for such battles, past the stage where I can be of any use.' The old woman says, as the crowd cries no, pleads with her to help, insists only she can save them.
She shakes her head. 'No, my time is done, I will watch from afar as you people are guided by a new leader, someone who has a good heart, and a clever mind.' She says, before placing her hand on my shoulder.
'Son, you may no know it, but you are special, and you have what it takes to see this place and its good people survives.' She says, as they all turn to look to me.
'How can I help? I have been running from one fight to the next, a never ending series of near death experiences.' I cry, at a loss as to what I can possibly accomplish.
'Word has it you survived those misbegotten Ghouls, some of the Mutants, Slavers, Cannibals, Raiders, and even avoided a knife in the back from someone you thought to care about. You're not running away, you're fighting...and winning.' She says, for the first time making me realize... I am a survivor.
'I hadn't thought of it before, not like that.' I say.
'Mister, what can we do, can you help us?' A woman cries out. It is the woman peering out from the shack, more afraid of what might be than anything I might do.'
Fate has a funny way of thrusting us into places in life we never expected, or intended. I understand that now.
I look up at the crowd now, realizing it is likely the whole camp, watching, listening, waiting for me.
I nod quickly, looking down, thinking, then back up at the old woman, and she can see my mind is made up.
'We need shovels, lots of them, and anything that will burn. Get me something flammable, we're gonna have a party.' I shout, at which the entire camp cheers, and breaks out into wild activity.
The old woman looks at me, that same curious expression, as if she has been waiting for this moment all her life...
Monday 21 November 2016
36) The Wise Old Woman of The Wasteland
All I seem to do is run lately. I must be fit, because I seem to be able to run faster and further than I did first day out of the vault.
Steve is no slouch, but I can hear him panting and puffing behind me. We appear long clear of those creatures, but I cannot ignore the voice in the back of my mind asking what if those things find their way to the camp. Sure, there are plenty of people to fight back, and lots of weapons, but with hundreds of thousands of flesh eating spiders, roaches, ants and other insects I've never seen before, it's likely the camp will be overrun sooner or later.
Finally we reach the camp's edge. In some ways a wasted journey, but in others I have to be philosophical, I have likely made a contact who is useful, and most importantly, in my debt. I saved his life.
As we approach the main gates, Melissa comes running out and runs straight to Steve, hugging him tightly.
'Thank you, thank you so much for helping us.' She says, struggling to hold back tears.
'What happened, why didn't you come back?' She demands of him, as she abruptly changes her attitude, from grateful to mock anger.
Steve looks at me sheepishly, then back to her. He seems embarrassed, probably by how quickly and easily I found a solution.
'He was trapped by an infestation, it was just pure luck we were able to escape.' I reply quickly. He looks at me, a brief smile and then back to her. I can see he is grateful for sparing his blushes; no need for further torment for either of them.
'Thank you anyway.' She says, looking again at me, and I can see the relief on their faces.
'No information about the vault I guess though.' I say, trying to hide my sarcasm. I'm just too soft.
Melissa gives me a perplexed look. 'What do you mean, hasn't he told you what he knows about it?' She asks.
I shake my head. 'No, Steve doesn't know anything about them, says to me.'
Melissa looks at him square in the eye. Clearly it wasn't a ruse, she really did think he knew. Perhaps he does, but he's not saying anything.
'Sorry gal, I don't really know anything about them.'
Melissa looks at me apologetically, without speaking. It doesn't matter, there's nothing she can say anyway, and it's fine, I might have done the same thing in similar circumstances.
'We need to talk.' I say to Steve, sounding deliberately serious. His expression changes also, I can see he knows what I mean.
'We need to gather others, they need to know what is out there, help us do something about it.' He says. I nod in agreement.
'What about, that infestation, didn't you call it?' Melissa asked. No answer was needed.
Steve turns and looks towards two of the guards. 'Just who is in charge of this place, anyway?' He asks.
One of the guards grins, exposing a distinct lack of teeth. He is wearing leather gear, well worn and tatty, but good at keeping the weather extremes out, if not bullets.
'Old Ma Guiness.' The guard says, before spitting to the ground towards his side.
'Yeah right.' Steve says, turning to me. 'She is a wiley old one, doesn't say much but always seems to be around.We should go talk to her.'
'I don't think we should waste time, no telling how long before those things trace us back here.' I say loudly, so everyone can hear.
'What things?' One of the guards asks.
'You might see soon, so we'd best prepare.' I reply, leading the way back into camp.
Steve walks ahead of me, showing the way to the old woman's shack.
It is well fortified, wooden, well built and nice canopy over the sides. She is standing outside, near to a well lit fire, with a black pan boiling something atop.
'Gentlemen, and lady, I was expecting you.' She says clearly, smiling eagerly.
'Really?' Steve asks.
The woman nods easily. 'Trouble brewing I reckon.' She says laughing a little. She has a glint in her eye, wise beyond her years. She may be the person I have been seeking all along...
Steve is no slouch, but I can hear him panting and puffing behind me. We appear long clear of those creatures, but I cannot ignore the voice in the back of my mind asking what if those things find their way to the camp. Sure, there are plenty of people to fight back, and lots of weapons, but with hundreds of thousands of flesh eating spiders, roaches, ants and other insects I've never seen before, it's likely the camp will be overrun sooner or later.
Finally we reach the camp's edge. In some ways a wasted journey, but in others I have to be philosophical, I have likely made a contact who is useful, and most importantly, in my debt. I saved his life.
As we approach the main gates, Melissa comes running out and runs straight to Steve, hugging him tightly.
'Thank you, thank you so much for helping us.' She says, struggling to hold back tears.
'What happened, why didn't you come back?' She demands of him, as she abruptly changes her attitude, from grateful to mock anger.
Steve looks at me sheepishly, then back to her. He seems embarrassed, probably by how quickly and easily I found a solution.
'He was trapped by an infestation, it was just pure luck we were able to escape.' I reply quickly. He looks at me, a brief smile and then back to her. I can see he is grateful for sparing his blushes; no need for further torment for either of them.
'Thank you anyway.' She says, looking again at me, and I can see the relief on their faces.
'No information about the vault I guess though.' I say, trying to hide my sarcasm. I'm just too soft.
Melissa gives me a perplexed look. 'What do you mean, hasn't he told you what he knows about it?' She asks.
I shake my head. 'No, Steve doesn't know anything about them, says to me.'
Melissa looks at him square in the eye. Clearly it wasn't a ruse, she really did think he knew. Perhaps he does, but he's not saying anything.
'Sorry gal, I don't really know anything about them.'
Melissa looks at me apologetically, without speaking. It doesn't matter, there's nothing she can say anyway, and it's fine, I might have done the same thing in similar circumstances.
'We need to talk.' I say to Steve, sounding deliberately serious. His expression changes also, I can see he knows what I mean.
'We need to gather others, they need to know what is out there, help us do something about it.' He says. I nod in agreement.
'What about, that infestation, didn't you call it?' Melissa asked. No answer was needed.
Steve turns and looks towards two of the guards. 'Just who is in charge of this place, anyway?' He asks.
One of the guards grins, exposing a distinct lack of teeth. He is wearing leather gear, well worn and tatty, but good at keeping the weather extremes out, if not bullets.
'Old Ma Guiness.' The guard says, before spitting to the ground towards his side.
'Yeah right.' Steve says, turning to me. 'She is a wiley old one, doesn't say much but always seems to be around.We should go talk to her.'
'I don't think we should waste time, no telling how long before those things trace us back here.' I say loudly, so everyone can hear.
'What things?' One of the guards asks.
'You might see soon, so we'd best prepare.' I reply, leading the way back into camp.
Steve walks ahead of me, showing the way to the old woman's shack.
It is well fortified, wooden, well built and nice canopy over the sides. She is standing outside, near to a well lit fire, with a black pan boiling something atop.
'Gentlemen, and lady, I was expecting you.' She says clearly, smiling eagerly.
'Really?' Steve asks.
The woman nods easily. 'Trouble brewing I reckon.' She says laughing a little. She has a glint in her eye, wise beyond her years. She may be the person I have been seeking all along...
Monday 14 November 2016
35) A Leader is Born
'Really? I've been holed up here for weeks, and have no idea what could do to escape, and you have been here all of ten minutes, and you already have a plan?' The man says, sounding not particularly impressed.
'I seem to have been jumping out of one frying pan and into another, since I woke up.' I say.
'What, since you woke up this morning?'
'No, since I woke up from that vault. Since then all I've done is struggle to find food or clean water, get chased, nearly eaten, nearly fallen to my death, and shot at countless times. The only time I get any peace is in that camp. Crazy' I explain, feeling better after for letting it all out.
'Sorry to say fella, but that's the way life is. Been like that all my life. Why do you think I'm sat here in this sorry mess, cos every time I go out, like any of us, there's trouble, and something waiting to take away from us, either life or what little possessions we have.'
His words just make things worse. It isn't like I can sit back, accept what he says and deal with it by doubling up my intent to survive. Instead it leaves me wondering if there will be any happiness.
Silence descends upon us for a short while, both lost in thought. I wonder if perhaps we are at the end of our road, from the moment of birth, that our struggles are for nothing, because in this world they always end in failure, but in any world they always end in death.
'You mentioned you had a plan.' Steve finally says, interrupting my wallowing in negativity.
I look up at him, and think for a while, looking at him. My mind has gone blank, as if it is a clean slate, that anything I do from now bares no reference to my past, and that I can impress this fresh start on the world around me.
'I think this place needs a leader.' I say.
'What, this railway siding, these buildings, those old trains?' Steve asks. I give him a perplexed look.
'No, I mean the world we live in. It needs someone to organize it, to look after its weaker people, and to defend a set of principles that others will respect and join the fight for.'
Steve raises his eyebrows. I think I surprised him.
'You think? Never heard anyone talk like that before, never expected it of you.' He says, sounding as surprised as he looks.
I remain silent a moment, thinking some more.
'Do you think people would follow, if I led them to a better place, in mind and body, as well as physically?'
Steve looks ever more surprised. 'Yes, they would, I would, we would, I mean me and mine. No one ever seems to know how to lead any more. So yeah, we would.'
I like his optimism, and if I can impress that upon just one person who is staring at death, then perhaps I can impress the same on others. If we get away from here.
I stand up and move back along the walkway, onto the roof of the carriage again. I peer over the sides and down. A teeming mass of various crawling bugs and insects become ever more insane in their lust to gain access to me, strip my bones of flesh and continue their relentless search for food. Much as we humans do.
'Seems like a simple thing really.' I say. As I speak I feel Steve sidle up behind me. He is a very strong man, very muscular, not someone you would want an argument with, and definitely someone you would want on your side.
'Really?' He asks, looking at me perplexed.
'How about I get us out of this, and if I do, in turn you work with me, we create something better, for all people. how about that?' I ask, looking at him squarely in the eye now.
He doesn't seem to need time to think.
'Yes, yes, yes yes indeed. Get me out of here, and if you have an idea that will help all of us, then I will support you throughout to make it better.' He says, daring to smile, sounding giddy.
'Right.' I say, moving over behind him. I walk across to the metal sheeting that we used as a bridge to the building opposite. I push my fingers into gaps in the sheet, and pull at it, letting it fall away one end to the ground, but keeping a tight hold of the other end.
'What are you doing?' Steve shouts, panicking that we are lost.
The sheeting is heavy, but I can just about manage. I pull back on it, sliding it up and across the roof of the carriageway. Steve looks on, as confused as anything. Finally, I slide the sheeting across the carriage roof, and lift it upright, before placing one edge near the end of the carriage roof. Holding onto the bottom of the sheeting, I allow it to fall, away from the building, swinging down across the writhing figure of death below, as it crashes onto the a rock outcrop beyond, creating a bridge for us, out into the plateau beyond.
Steve now really does light up, his eyes a look of amazement, ignoring the fact that he has been stuck here so long and never thought of it.
'Ready to go?' I ask, at which he nods. I gently step onto the newly formed bridge, and move across slowly. Steve follows behind, and in seconds we are across from the mass of insects and to safer higher ground.
'We won't have long til some figure out where we've gone, so let's run for it.' I say. Steve needs no further encouragement, as we break out into a sprint, away from certain death...
'I seem to have been jumping out of one frying pan and into another, since I woke up.' I say.
'What, since you woke up this morning?'
'No, since I woke up from that vault. Since then all I've done is struggle to find food or clean water, get chased, nearly eaten, nearly fallen to my death, and shot at countless times. The only time I get any peace is in that camp. Crazy' I explain, feeling better after for letting it all out.
'Sorry to say fella, but that's the way life is. Been like that all my life. Why do you think I'm sat here in this sorry mess, cos every time I go out, like any of us, there's trouble, and something waiting to take away from us, either life or what little possessions we have.'
His words just make things worse. It isn't like I can sit back, accept what he says and deal with it by doubling up my intent to survive. Instead it leaves me wondering if there will be any happiness.
Silence descends upon us for a short while, both lost in thought. I wonder if perhaps we are at the end of our road, from the moment of birth, that our struggles are for nothing, because in this world they always end in failure, but in any world they always end in death.
'You mentioned you had a plan.' Steve finally says, interrupting my wallowing in negativity.
I look up at him, and think for a while, looking at him. My mind has gone blank, as if it is a clean slate, that anything I do from now bares no reference to my past, and that I can impress this fresh start on the world around me.
'I think this place needs a leader.' I say.
'What, this railway siding, these buildings, those old trains?' Steve asks. I give him a perplexed look.
'No, I mean the world we live in. It needs someone to organize it, to look after its weaker people, and to defend a set of principles that others will respect and join the fight for.'
Steve raises his eyebrows. I think I surprised him.
'You think? Never heard anyone talk like that before, never expected it of you.' He says, sounding as surprised as he looks.
I remain silent a moment, thinking some more.
'Do you think people would follow, if I led them to a better place, in mind and body, as well as physically?'
Steve looks ever more surprised. 'Yes, they would, I would, we would, I mean me and mine. No one ever seems to know how to lead any more. So yeah, we would.'
I like his optimism, and if I can impress that upon just one person who is staring at death, then perhaps I can impress the same on others. If we get away from here.
I stand up and move back along the walkway, onto the roof of the carriage again. I peer over the sides and down. A teeming mass of various crawling bugs and insects become ever more insane in their lust to gain access to me, strip my bones of flesh and continue their relentless search for food. Much as we humans do.
'Seems like a simple thing really.' I say. As I speak I feel Steve sidle up behind me. He is a very strong man, very muscular, not someone you would want an argument with, and definitely someone you would want on your side.
'Really?' He asks, looking at me perplexed.
'How about I get us out of this, and if I do, in turn you work with me, we create something better, for all people. how about that?' I ask, looking at him squarely in the eye now.
He doesn't seem to need time to think.
'Yes, yes, yes yes indeed. Get me out of here, and if you have an idea that will help all of us, then I will support you throughout to make it better.' He says, daring to smile, sounding giddy.
'Right.' I say, moving over behind him. I walk across to the metal sheeting that we used as a bridge to the building opposite. I push my fingers into gaps in the sheet, and pull at it, letting it fall away one end to the ground, but keeping a tight hold of the other end.
'What are you doing?' Steve shouts, panicking that we are lost.
The sheeting is heavy, but I can just about manage. I pull back on it, sliding it up and across the roof of the carriageway. Steve looks on, as confused as anything. Finally, I slide the sheeting across the carriage roof, and lift it upright, before placing one edge near the end of the carriage roof. Holding onto the bottom of the sheeting, I allow it to fall, away from the building, swinging down across the writhing figure of death below, as it crashes onto the a rock outcrop beyond, creating a bridge for us, out into the plateau beyond.
Steve now really does light up, his eyes a look of amazement, ignoring the fact that he has been stuck here so long and never thought of it.
'Ready to go?' I ask, at which he nods. I gently step onto the newly formed bridge, and move across slowly. Steve follows behind, and in seconds we are across from the mass of insects and to safer higher ground.
'We won't have long til some figure out where we've gone, so let's run for it.' I say. Steve needs no further encouragement, as we break out into a sprint, away from certain death...
Tuesday 8 November 2016
34) Spiders, Insects and plans
'Over here! This way.' I hear a voice shouting. I have no time to do anything. A glancing look back and all I see is a mass of these black spiders scurrying towards me. There must be tens of thousands of them, flesh eating spiders and I'm the main item on today's menu!
'Faster.' Someone shouts, as if I need encouraging to run any faster than I already am. It's not as if I'm out for a jog and about to be consumed by spiders, and could do more- I can't!
That same familiar feeling, my chest thumping like it's about to explode, and me running away from something terrible. I wonder if I should have stayed in the vault, maybe hunger might have been better than being eaten alive or ripped apart or blown up.
The voice no longer sounds, but I have an idea where it comes from. Up ahead seems to be what I recall were train tracks, and there are train carriages left unattended here and there. I can feel pain in my chest; my lungs are fit to burst.
Running, hearing the noise behind me, like a plague of locusts descending on me, a black swarm ready to wash over me. Not far, a carriage, beside metal sidings of a building, all closed in. Just a bit further, don't trip on the tracks, don't fall now.
I reach a carriage, it is too tall, no way up, I'm stuck, dead end. It's all over for me.
A hand reaches down, poking at me, demanding I take a hold. I have no choice, out of the frying pan into the fire. I grab a hold, and the grip is firm, hoisting me up. I am a big person, well over six foot, stocky build, and yet whoever this is takes me up like I am a soft pillow.
Just in time, as the little creatures flood around beneath us. Don't let go of me now, I keep a tight hold too. If he tries to drop me, I won't let go, he's coming with me!
The man swings me right over the top of the carriage. It is long, an old wooden thing, but still sturdy enough. Its roof is flat, but not much else here, I notice though a linkway to the building, perhaps the best way in.
I drop down, exhausted. If he has plans for me that are bad, I doubt I can do much about it. I look up and for a moment the sun blinds my eyes, until he too drops down. He is large man, all muscle, dark skin, shaven head, his eyes deep blue. Looks like he has seen a lot of life. Then, I see it. Why didn't I think of it before, the beard, the great thick bushy beard.
I try to speak in between gulping down great gobs of air. 'Are you from the settlement up away... other side of those things?' I ask.
The man looks at me sternly. 'What of it?' He demands, no hint of friendliness.
'You have a sister there?'
'What of it?' He demands, no raising his voice. It seems upset and angry at her mention.
'She asked me on my travels to see if I saw you, to say she's worried about you.'
This seems to calm him a little, and he sighs, sitting back.
'Yeah, I guess that would be Melissa.' He says, now looking at me quietly.
I shrugged. I was never one for names really, people come and go so much I often hadn't even thought to check.
'I'm Steve, I guess she would be missing me. Can't cope without me.' The man says, offering out a hand. I take a hold and we shake, firm grip and all.
'I have no idea who I am, still can't remember. Your sister said you knew a lot about the vaults, might know who I am or help me with it.' I say. It never gets old, telling people I don't know who I am.
The man laughs, I think at first at my not knowing, but then it seems not.
'What, what's up?' I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
'Don't be angry, she's just not that strong and panics without me.' He says, and I look at him showing my confusion. 'I don't know anything about those vaults. Sorry, she just said that to get you to come help find me.'
I can't say I was shocked by it, nothing shocks me any more. I feel angry, but what can I do about it. I look over the sides of the carriage, and it is surrounded by a teeming mass of creatures, not all spiders, all sorts of weird and creepy insects, and no doubt all hell bent on devouring us.
'What the hell is it with those things?' I ask, peering down.
The man stands up, beckoning me to do so too.
'They're the reason I'm still here, cos if you go to ground round here, then they swarm you and in minutes all that's left is bones. Look over there.'
I look to where is he pointing. I see bones of long dead animals, what appeared to be cattle, only the closer I look, the more I realize they aren't so long dead, and there are lots of them, skeletons littered all over.
'I went and traded for some cattle, and got myself a scavenging hound. Coming back through this way, they just came upon us and took the lot. I managed to jump onto a ledge and get up here, and then a walkway out of old planks up into the top of the building. For now they don't seem to be able to get up so high.'
Wide eyed, I look at him shocked. Sickened by what this world conjures up.
'So now what?' I ask, feeling sick to my stomach.
The man turns, heads across the walkway he has constructed. 'This way.'
I follow him, carefully. There are gaps all around, but the building is high, made mostly of corrugated steel panels. As we walk we crouch, and go into a darkened area. There is a sleeping bag, some other bags, and the place looks as if it was once an office. It has wood for a fire, not lit, and some water.
'I don't have much food left, only what I was carrying when I was set upon. Even without sharing I was done a few days.'
All seems lost.
'Don't they go when they lose sight of us?'
'Nope, hound tried to run and they came from all sides. No idea how you avoided them, just damned lucky I guess.'
'So, now what?' I ask, feeling sickened I have again been lied to and betrayed.
'Well we either starve to death, or come up with a plan.' He suggests.
A plan. I have an interesting idea...
'Faster.' Someone shouts, as if I need encouraging to run any faster than I already am. It's not as if I'm out for a jog and about to be consumed by spiders, and could do more- I can't!
That same familiar feeling, my chest thumping like it's about to explode, and me running away from something terrible. I wonder if I should have stayed in the vault, maybe hunger might have been better than being eaten alive or ripped apart or blown up.
The voice no longer sounds, but I have an idea where it comes from. Up ahead seems to be what I recall were train tracks, and there are train carriages left unattended here and there. I can feel pain in my chest; my lungs are fit to burst.
Running, hearing the noise behind me, like a plague of locusts descending on me, a black swarm ready to wash over me. Not far, a carriage, beside metal sidings of a building, all closed in. Just a bit further, don't trip on the tracks, don't fall now.
I reach a carriage, it is too tall, no way up, I'm stuck, dead end. It's all over for me.
A hand reaches down, poking at me, demanding I take a hold. I have no choice, out of the frying pan into the fire. I grab a hold, and the grip is firm, hoisting me up. I am a big person, well over six foot, stocky build, and yet whoever this is takes me up like I am a soft pillow.
Just in time, as the little creatures flood around beneath us. Don't let go of me now, I keep a tight hold too. If he tries to drop me, I won't let go, he's coming with me!
The man swings me right over the top of the carriage. It is long, an old wooden thing, but still sturdy enough. Its roof is flat, but not much else here, I notice though a linkway to the building, perhaps the best way in.
I drop down, exhausted. If he has plans for me that are bad, I doubt I can do much about it. I look up and for a moment the sun blinds my eyes, until he too drops down. He is large man, all muscle, dark skin, shaven head, his eyes deep blue. Looks like he has seen a lot of life. Then, I see it. Why didn't I think of it before, the beard, the great thick bushy beard.
I try to speak in between gulping down great gobs of air. 'Are you from the settlement up away... other side of those things?' I ask.
The man looks at me sternly. 'What of it?' He demands, no hint of friendliness.
'You have a sister there?'
'What of it?' He demands, no raising his voice. It seems upset and angry at her mention.
'She asked me on my travels to see if I saw you, to say she's worried about you.'
This seems to calm him a little, and he sighs, sitting back.
'Yeah, I guess that would be Melissa.' He says, now looking at me quietly.
I shrugged. I was never one for names really, people come and go so much I often hadn't even thought to check.
'I'm Steve, I guess she would be missing me. Can't cope without me.' The man says, offering out a hand. I take a hold and we shake, firm grip and all.
'I have no idea who I am, still can't remember. Your sister said you knew a lot about the vaults, might know who I am or help me with it.' I say. It never gets old, telling people I don't know who I am.
The man laughs, I think at first at my not knowing, but then it seems not.
'What, what's up?' I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
'Don't be angry, she's just not that strong and panics without me.' He says, and I look at him showing my confusion. 'I don't know anything about those vaults. Sorry, she just said that to get you to come help find me.'
I can't say I was shocked by it, nothing shocks me any more. I feel angry, but what can I do about it. I look over the sides of the carriage, and it is surrounded by a teeming mass of creatures, not all spiders, all sorts of weird and creepy insects, and no doubt all hell bent on devouring us.
'What the hell is it with those things?' I ask, peering down.
The man stands up, beckoning me to do so too.
'They're the reason I'm still here, cos if you go to ground round here, then they swarm you and in minutes all that's left is bones. Look over there.'
I look to where is he pointing. I see bones of long dead animals, what appeared to be cattle, only the closer I look, the more I realize they aren't so long dead, and there are lots of them, skeletons littered all over.
'I went and traded for some cattle, and got myself a scavenging hound. Coming back through this way, they just came upon us and took the lot. I managed to jump onto a ledge and get up here, and then a walkway out of old planks up into the top of the building. For now they don't seem to be able to get up so high.'
Wide eyed, I look at him shocked. Sickened by what this world conjures up.
'So now what?' I ask, feeling sick to my stomach.
The man turns, heads across the walkway he has constructed. 'This way.'
I follow him, carefully. There are gaps all around, but the building is high, made mostly of corrugated steel panels. As we walk we crouch, and go into a darkened area. There is a sleeping bag, some other bags, and the place looks as if it was once an office. It has wood for a fire, not lit, and some water.
'I don't have much food left, only what I was carrying when I was set upon. Even without sharing I was done a few days.'
All seems lost.
'Don't they go when they lose sight of us?'
'Nope, hound tried to run and they came from all sides. No idea how you avoided them, just damned lucky I guess.'
'So, now what?' I ask, feeling sickened I have again been lied to and betrayed.
'Well we either starve to death, or come up with a plan.' He suggests.
A plan. I have an interesting idea...
Monday 7 November 2016
33) Chased by Flesh Hungry Spiders!
My mind is filled with terrible images again, as night shadows fly around in my mind.
I can see Judy's face, as she sits looking at me. Instead of holding a gun, pointing at me, she holds out a flower, prodding it towards me, a gift of reconciliation. Her face is a picture of pleading, wondering why I killed her, she only wanted to be together again.
I feel myself moving fitfully in my sleep, but my eyes refuse to open, I cannot wake. I know it is a part of me that is demanding retribution of myself for what happened, but my mind, the intelligent part, dictates that what I did was survival, as disgusting as it was. I refuse to bow down to recriminations over what I had to do, and knew was right.
I wake, covered in sweat, breathing heavily. At last I escape the morass of fear and loathing that encompasses me. It is still dark outside, but I can see the edge of dawn approaching. Sleep no longer holds me, and so now is as good a time as ever to begin my preparations.
Time. It is a concept that no longer seems to matter, and yet it rings around my mind, wondering of its importance in the wasted world we no inhabit. I wonder if there are even working clocks around any more.
My body as always now aches and my head thumps. I take a drink from a flask of water; it is cold down my throat, but quenches my thirst and feels good. I sit a moment, trying to grow accustomed to the poor light, and see shadows dancing around before me. A thought occurs that perhaps I am suffering with a fever, or some other sickness, something that is most likely a death sentence. I have nothing for this, no medicine, no treatment. If I get sick I will need help, so I put it to the back of my mind to look out for new supplies.
Strange that in all her findings, Judy never had any.
I take a large satchel, one of the fine things that Judy had acquired. It is leather, well made and sturdy. I fill it with bottles of water, some dry food and plenty of ammunition, both for pistol and rifle. I feel secure now that come what may, I will have the resources and experience to cope.
Surely my clothes need some attention. The rags I am wearing are hardly suitable for the work I do, let alone what passes as shoes for me. As much as I need medicine, I certainly need clothes and boots. It is my first order of business, to see if I can buy some.
I take a small cloth pouch, and fill it with caps, possibly around two hundred. Should be enough to get what I need.
Standing takes time as my weary joints moan about having to lift me up again. At least now these complaints are not driven by hunger and thirst.
I walk out into the cool morning air once more, and ignoring all that is around my my walk towards the sellers. The area is quiet this early, but still some are milling around, setting up tables and adding goods.
'Hey, anyone around here sell clothes, or boots?' I ask one woman. She looks elderly, but spritely for her age. She looks up at me, as small as she is, there is fire in her eyes.
'Clothes, mebbe, not much, but no boots.' She says and laughs loudly, giggling like a witch. 'Boots are like caps galore... everyone wants them.' She continues, before looking away and continuing to tend to her stall.
It was as much as I feared. I shall have to forage for my own needs outside, as well as searching for this missing man.
I offer thanks, but she ignores me, intent only on her business.
As I walk out of the gates, I cannot help but feel nervous. The last time I did this I had someone to watch my back, and she herself was the supposed victim of slavers. I shiver, not only for the frigid air, but for the wonder of what is to come.
I walk, this time a path between the side of the river, and the way to the town I had benefited so much from. The ground is harder here, like walking on the slippery slope of a mountain edge. Grass grows here and there, looking weather worn and thin, with occasional cacti sporadically laid out in random order. As I progress, the greenery seems to thicken, as if it is an old run off from the river.
I hear a crunching sound, like gravel being misplaced. I think nothing of it, until I take a few more steps, and see something tiny but dark moving along the ground ahead. I stop for a moment, looking to see what it is, to allow my eyes to focus on the object. It seems to be a spider-like creature, fumbling around.
I step a little closer, and bend over, to gain a greater view. It looks like a nasty little thing, covered in black hair, but large eyes and fangs from the front that could certainly do some damage.
What shocks me the most is it seems to have part of a human hand wedged in between its left fang; the spider is carnivorous!
It is dragging the piece of flesh along slowly, from where I cannot see, nor where to. Strange. As I stand up I hear a crunch underfoot, and look down to see I have stood on one of the things. A hissing sound erupts as the spider bleeds out, a kind of dark green gunge.
The sounds of disturbing gravel erupts too, close to me, and now I see more and more of these spider things crawling out from holes all around. they seem to be approaching me, fast.
I skip, dance away and run further down the trail, glancing back to see a black river of spiders following me. They move fast, perhaps faster than I can. I panic, sprinting ahead, but the surging sounds of their encroachment drives my mind wild.
I am about to be engulfed in flesh hungry spiders...
I can see Judy's face, as she sits looking at me. Instead of holding a gun, pointing at me, she holds out a flower, prodding it towards me, a gift of reconciliation. Her face is a picture of pleading, wondering why I killed her, she only wanted to be together again.
I feel myself moving fitfully in my sleep, but my eyes refuse to open, I cannot wake. I know it is a part of me that is demanding retribution of myself for what happened, but my mind, the intelligent part, dictates that what I did was survival, as disgusting as it was. I refuse to bow down to recriminations over what I had to do, and knew was right.
I wake, covered in sweat, breathing heavily. At last I escape the morass of fear and loathing that encompasses me. It is still dark outside, but I can see the edge of dawn approaching. Sleep no longer holds me, and so now is as good a time as ever to begin my preparations.
Time. It is a concept that no longer seems to matter, and yet it rings around my mind, wondering of its importance in the wasted world we no inhabit. I wonder if there are even working clocks around any more.
My body as always now aches and my head thumps. I take a drink from a flask of water; it is cold down my throat, but quenches my thirst and feels good. I sit a moment, trying to grow accustomed to the poor light, and see shadows dancing around before me. A thought occurs that perhaps I am suffering with a fever, or some other sickness, something that is most likely a death sentence. I have nothing for this, no medicine, no treatment. If I get sick I will need help, so I put it to the back of my mind to look out for new supplies.
Strange that in all her findings, Judy never had any.
I take a large satchel, one of the fine things that Judy had acquired. It is leather, well made and sturdy. I fill it with bottles of water, some dry food and plenty of ammunition, both for pistol and rifle. I feel secure now that come what may, I will have the resources and experience to cope.
Surely my clothes need some attention. The rags I am wearing are hardly suitable for the work I do, let alone what passes as shoes for me. As much as I need medicine, I certainly need clothes and boots. It is my first order of business, to see if I can buy some.
I take a small cloth pouch, and fill it with caps, possibly around two hundred. Should be enough to get what I need.
Standing takes time as my weary joints moan about having to lift me up again. At least now these complaints are not driven by hunger and thirst.
I walk out into the cool morning air once more, and ignoring all that is around my my walk towards the sellers. The area is quiet this early, but still some are milling around, setting up tables and adding goods.
'Hey, anyone around here sell clothes, or boots?' I ask one woman. She looks elderly, but spritely for her age. She looks up at me, as small as she is, there is fire in her eyes.
'Clothes, mebbe, not much, but no boots.' She says and laughs loudly, giggling like a witch. 'Boots are like caps galore... everyone wants them.' She continues, before looking away and continuing to tend to her stall.
It was as much as I feared. I shall have to forage for my own needs outside, as well as searching for this missing man.
I offer thanks, but she ignores me, intent only on her business.
As I walk out of the gates, I cannot help but feel nervous. The last time I did this I had someone to watch my back, and she herself was the supposed victim of slavers. I shiver, not only for the frigid air, but for the wonder of what is to come.
I walk, this time a path between the side of the river, and the way to the town I had benefited so much from. The ground is harder here, like walking on the slippery slope of a mountain edge. Grass grows here and there, looking weather worn and thin, with occasional cacti sporadically laid out in random order. As I progress, the greenery seems to thicken, as if it is an old run off from the river.
I hear a crunching sound, like gravel being misplaced. I think nothing of it, until I take a few more steps, and see something tiny but dark moving along the ground ahead. I stop for a moment, looking to see what it is, to allow my eyes to focus on the object. It seems to be a spider-like creature, fumbling around.
I step a little closer, and bend over, to gain a greater view. It looks like a nasty little thing, covered in black hair, but large eyes and fangs from the front that could certainly do some damage.
What shocks me the most is it seems to have part of a human hand wedged in between its left fang; the spider is carnivorous!
It is dragging the piece of flesh along slowly, from where I cannot see, nor where to. Strange. As I stand up I hear a crunch underfoot, and look down to see I have stood on one of the things. A hissing sound erupts as the spider bleeds out, a kind of dark green gunge.
The sounds of disturbing gravel erupts too, close to me, and now I see more and more of these spider things crawling out from holes all around. they seem to be approaching me, fast.
I skip, dance away and run further down the trail, glancing back to see a black river of spiders following me. They move fast, perhaps faster than I can. I panic, sprinting ahead, but the surging sounds of their encroachment drives my mind wild.
I am about to be engulfed in flesh hungry spiders...
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